Not for profit organisation HealthWISE is celebrating 20 years supporting locals living with dementia across the Northern Tablelands.
The HealthWISE Memory Assessment Program (MAP) role is to link people with memory difficulties and their families to local services and enhance their quality of life. This financial year the program has already assisted over 100 people seeking assessment for dementia, while also hosting a monthly support group for carers.
The milestone was honoured at an evening of professional development for healthcare providers held in Armidale last week, co-hosted by the Rural Doctor’s Network (RDN), HealthWISE and the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN).
“This program has touched the lives of countless people living with dementia and those who care for and support them,” HealthWISE Allied Health team leader Alicia Pratt said.
The event drew some original MAP staff back to Armidale, and speakers included retired geriatrician Dr Gerry de Gabriele, and specialist geriatricians Professor Sue Kurrle and Dr Alex Annesley.
Professor Kurrle spoke on the latest developments in dementia diagnosis. In January, Professor Kurrle was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her research into dementia and cognitive function, and distinguished service to medicine as a geriatrician.
Dr Annesley discussed driving and dementia. In addition to her clinic work, she enjoys her role in the GRACE team – an acute Geriatric Outreach Team treating patients in residential aged care facilities and the wider community who are at risk of imminent hospitalisation.
Practising at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital in northern Sydney and at Batemans Bay and Moruya Hospitals in southern New South Wales, Professor Kurrle and Dr Annesley both provide telehealth clinics for MAP clients in the New England.
HealthWISE MAP coordinator Cate Doyle and Dementia Carer Support advisor Sally Henry deliver the early intervention program in Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield and Uralla.
“Both Sally and Cate go above and beyond in the care and energy they devote to the MAP program and to their clients,” HealthWISE Integrated Care manager Anne Williams said.
“They cover a vast area, meet people in their homes where they feel at ease; they take time to gather not only the cognitive screening results but also a detailed social history.”
“The quality of their comprehensive assessments is really gold standard. Their detailed reports are valued by the GPs, specialists and families they work with.”
Top image: Map Coordinator Cate Doyle (L), HealthWISE CEO Fiona Strang, and Professor Sure Kurrle
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